Social media plays a vital role in how people live and socialize. It is a virtual platform for individuals to share thoughts, information, videos, and photos with the single click of a button. In addition, using social medial networks can reduce the huge costs of marketing and advertising. Unfortunately, several of the most popular social media websites require people to use their real-world credentials when creating memberships. Because Avatars from virtual-reality-platforms such as Second Life, InWorldz, VirtualVanguards, and Kitely often like to keep their identities private, countless avatars have had their Facebook and Google+ accounts removed for not following these networks’ Terms of Services. Therefore, not all people have the freedom to expand their following because they wish to operate under their Avatars’ identities instead of their Real-world credentials. Avatars are not considered as “real” people, and any account set up under an Avatar name risks being unexpectedly removed by many larger social media platforms.

AvatarHookup.com is a new social media website designed to overcome this huge obstacle. When signing up at AvatarHookup.com, the only real-world information asked is one’s birthdate. This question is asked to assure the user community is above the age of 18.

AvatarHookup.com was created by avatars for avatars. It’s designed to cater to all the needs an Avatar might possess. AvatarHookup.com offers many features used on popular networks such as the ability to write on walls, create groups, add friends, upload photos and videos, and read news feeds. In addition, it gives avatars the ability to keep all their social media information in one place with important features such as blogging, classified ads, forums, instant chat, events calendars, messaging services and more.
AvatarHookup.com is available to any Avatar residing in one or more of the various virtual worlds. It also includes search functions so one can find products and services for one particular grid, or many grids at the same time. Similar to other social media networks, AvatarHookkup.com is FREE! It is truly a one-stop social media platform for Avatars. http://www.AvatarHookup.com is a needed and valuable tool for all Avatars.

Handy Low is a citizen of the Virtual World. He is a scripter that makes life easier and more functional for all kinds of builders. He creates script systems for doors, fires, fountains, smoke, and more. In this video, you will learn Handy’s views on the various virtual grids and you will see demonstrations of a few products he sells.

One of my missions in virtual worlds is to learn more about others and their motivations for residing In-World. I was recently introduced to an intriguing and creative avatar named Trouble Morgan. Trouble was kind enough to spend time answering some of my interview questions, and now I would like to share her In-World experiences with you.

Welcome Trouble Morgan!

Trouble was introduced to virtual living in 2006 when she joined the Second Life community. At the time, she did not find Second Life interesting, but as the platform advanced, she became more and more active. By 2008, she was hooked. In Second Life, she enjoyed landscaping and hanging out with friends.
Trouble made the switch to InWroldz on July 23, 2013. The reason for her move to InWorldz was, “I had enough of bad service from linden lab (crashes, you name it) for too much money.” Also, she says she has seen things changing In SL in the community. Trouble stated, “I have seen SL changing in a place where making money is number one and it spoils creativity,. It’s also a place very oriented on virtual sex or dating.”
When asked which grid was her favorite, Ms. Morgan answered, “I like InWorldz most for its different social culture and different population. Lots of creativity here, who use the virtual environment like it is meant to be: a self made visualization of personal fantasies and sharing joy with others.”
Trouble does not have a “job” per se in InWorldz or in Second Life. But she does own a sim called Black Panther. In Black Panther one can enjoy a gypsy camp, a village for tinies, and you can also participate in gunboat battles and treasure hunts. She has places available for rent as well, so you can actually live there! So if you enjoy pirates and the great outdoors, check out the Black Panther sim in InWorldz.
Trouble is a teacher from Holland, and she owns a business in coaching pupils who need special care. She also has interests in virtual worlds, creating websites, writing, and communication. She is independent and a self made woman. When asked how her virtual life affects her RL (real life), Morgan told me that her relationships in-world do not differ greatly from her relationships in RL. She cares a lot about her friends and she is loyal to them. At the same time, however, she understands that people come and go in virtual worlds for many reasons, so she tries not to get too emotionally involved. She also does not allow her VL (virtual life) to interfere with her RL. Her point was clear when she said, “Virtual worlds are great, but can also be dangerous when people are emotionally not in balance, or if they see this as a substitute for things they miss in real life. It’s a relatively new phenomenon, this virtual social community, and I see lots of people suffering / struggling with their identity, and drowning into this world, ignoring things in RL. In IW, I meet people who are more open about their RL…and more genuine in behavior, and friendly and helpful.”
On a more lighthearted note, Trouble told me about a strange marriage she supposedly had in Second Life. Chuckling, she said, “I met a guy in SL called Henry Morgan (grins), who mad up a roleplay story about me on a pirate sim. He told the community members he married me while I was drunk, and I forgot the whole thing when waking up sober. This was a fun story, and we had a really good time in SL. We became great friends in roleplay and in real life. Finally he followed me to Inworldz. When asked if she was actually virtually married (yes it’s possible), she answered, “LOL, well, I don’t know if that really happened, for I was drunk when Henry married me, and he could have made the whole story up. But I’m still looking for witnesses. ”
Lol! What a great story! According to Morgan, participating in roleplay brings her great joy and adventures, like being in her own movie where she is the director and decor builder. She claims it’s AMAZING!
If you would like to check out Trobule Morgan’s sim “Black Panther,” search for it in your map via your browser. There is a thriving community that keeps growing and developing for you to enjoy.

Thanks for your time and interest. I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s interview with Trouble Morgan.

If you would like to be interviewed, please contact Xandria Winterwolf in InWorldz or Second Life.

Are you new to Virtual Living? Would you like to join Second Life or InWorldz? Here are the websites to get you started:

A few days ago I met an exuberant and charming lady named Modee Parlez. Her charisma was contagious, and her passion for life shown like a bright light for all to see. Because of my respect and admiration for this lady, I wanted to present her to you.
Modee Parlez resides in InWorldz and Second Life. We met in her art gallery in InWorldz, where she sells and displays her paintings, drawings, and other pieces of art. After touring her gallery, I asked if she would be willing to participate in an interview. To my pleasure, she agreed.

Please welcome Modee Parlez!

When asked how long Modee has been in InWorldz, she informed me her Rez date (like a birthday) is July 29, 2013. She currently resides in both InWorldz and Second Life. She has concurrent friends in both grids and is married with the same partner in IW and SL.

When asked about work, Modee said, “I am a designer in fashion, but these worlds give me the opportunity to complete new kinds of designs. I make flags, ships, artwork, and so much more.”

When asked why she visits virtual worlds, she answered, “Well, I create and build. So I’m a busy bee. I’m a bit of a perfectionist too. My builds have to be stellar or they find their way into the dustbin. Therefore, I try to make objects as real as possible, and that is what keeps me busy every minute.” Modee took a moment to smile. “Everyone who knows me know this, and I drive them crazy sometimes with my chatter about it. My perfectionism carries over from my RL job where the highest quality is demanded!” Wishing to make another point, Modee added, “But I enjoy socializing as well, and I want to help the nautical scene to grow.”
Intrigued by the idea of boating on the beautiful virtual waters of InWorldz and Second Life, I asked Modee to explain further about her activities in the nautical scene. Modee told me all about how she started and got hooked by saying, “Well, I was invited by a friend who told me the creativity in InWorldz is celebrated and not a money chasing matter as in SL. When I came to InWorldz, I met a lot of friends I knew in Second Life too! And even more surprising, there was finally Sailing here in IW! But when I looked around I was a bit disappointed in the creation of more 1800 period ships like I knew in SL. Yes, I am part of the Continental navy in SL.” Modee smiled modestly before continuing, “So I decided to give it a try myself and build a boat. Thanks to a lot of helping hands, we even got it sailing!” Modee gestured with a smile before continuing to explain, “So that is the nautical part. We have a lot of seas in IW open for sailing, unlike SL where all is cluttered up because of money gain. Now the RP 1800th’s Pirate/Navy community is growing, and I was even asked to teach sailing classes in the ‘SPD battling system,’ as we call it.”
I could picture it clearly in my mind. I envisioned Modee sailing the seven seas in a ship she created and molded with her own mind. The thought made me wonder how Modee found out about living in a virtual world.
Modee explained, “Ok, well, Second Life was my first grid to visit, and all was overwhelming and so new to me. I never played like that online before, and the different sims….OMG! What I mean is…whatever you can imagine, you can find it there! It also was some kind of outlet for me. I could do things I have never done before in Real Life. Like sailing and Role Play. What was also great was the fact I was able to meet people from all over the world. I even ran into people that lived close to me.” Modee smiled and then continued, “And yes…I got addicted at some point…like most I guess.”
I couldn’t agree with Modee more. Living in a virtual world is absolutely addicting! When finishing our chat and saying goodbye, Modee said one last thing that I though was relevant and insightful. She spoke about some of the drama that takes place in Virtual Worlds and told me her motto regarding such drama. She said, “When it involves drama, we have a saying, ‘Don’t do to others what you don’t like yourself.”
Well there you have it, Modee said it all.

Be kind, be nice, and be happy!

Would you like to see Modee’s amazing collection of artwork? Catch a ride with this SURL:

As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, I find it extremely difficult to find the products I need in InWorldz. Also, things are much different in InWorldz in regards to scripting and physics, so functions I take for granted in Second Life must be overcome in InWorldz.
For example, I looked for scripts I could use to build a jacuzzi or a bath tub. I found some open source scripts and played around with them for a while. They worked, but their usability and functionality were dismal at best. Every time I wanted to move my tub, the water prim would disappear, and I would have to rez a new one. Also, for each sink or tub I wanted on my land, I had to change the channels in all the scripts to match that particular tub or sink.
I was in the middle of building a 10 unit apartment building. I’m sure you can imagine the hassle these scripts denoted. 10 units = 10 bathtubs and 10 sinks. time 5 scripts per tub or sink. Talk about Lag!!!
Not only was the thought daunting to have to set the channels for each individual script in each bathtub and sink, but after I packaged the build to sell, my customers would have problems if they rezzed the build and wanted to move the building because all the water prims would disappear!
Also, all those listener scripts may cause system resource problems.
So I felt I was forced to come up with a solution.

As with the elevator, Wise Systems stepped in and saved the day! Yay for Wise Systems!! Hip Hip Hooray!

The water system now works perfectly. The water is linkable to the main prim. The water never disappears. I do not have to change channels in any scripts. In fact, there is only ONE script!!! Amazing huh? This is a very low lag system that works…AND…it’s freakin’ easy to use!!

It comes with sounds and everything needed to create a working and realistic bathtub, sink, hot tub, or jacuzzi.

Oh…as for the video, you will see when I copy the tub, my animations engine chats in local. That has nothing to do with the tub or the water script. It is an animation engine I have inside the tub and is a totally separate option.

**Note about video sound: I accidentally recorded the clip from my external speakers. The sound is much better when In-World.

If you are a builder in InWorldz, you know how difficult it can be to find an elevator that looks and feels like the real thing. After searching for hours and speaking with numerous scriptors, I decided it was next to impossible to find an elevator that worked like I wanted it to in InWorldz. Of course I found a few elevators that were somewhat decent, but usually you had to sit on them to make them work. Finally, instead of wasting more time searching, I decided to build my own.
I gathered some scripts together from open source and tried to make it work, but all my attempts failed. InWorldz does not have the same physics engine that Second Life has, so my projects kept glitching out. Finally, I decided to hire a scriptor named Wise Systems. With his help, we co-created an elevator that looks, feels, and acts like the real thing.
We made the elevator non-physical, which reduces lag. Also, as you are riding the elevator, a number display and a ‘ding’ alerts you to the floor you are passing. When you reach the appropriate floor, doors automatically open with realistic sounds.
I am soooo happy with my new elevator! I have placed four around my sim because they can be used independently of each other without cross talk or interference. I ride at least one of my elevators each time I visit my sim because they are so much fun! hahaha!
What can I say? I’m an elevator fanatic.

This is a demonstration video of a working elevator in InWorldz.
If you would like to ride the elevator or purchase one of these *full perm elevators for your own builds, please visit my store located at Winterwolf Estates.

This is mainly for builders in InWorldz, although I’m sure there are comparable products in Second Life as well.

One of my major issues with using sculpties has been the cumbersome task of sorting and naming them. Many times, the sculpt maps I’ve purchased will be named something like “Sculpt01″ or “handle12″. It becomes a daunting task to rez every single sculpty to find the one you need. This is especially difficult if you own more than a few hundred sculpt maps. Additionally, I have double purchased sculpt maps because I could not find what I needed when I needed it. Well…this problem shall exist no longer!

There is a solution and it’s called : zTech Sculpty Sorter

This amazing gadget allows you to put your sculpt maps into buttons (much like on a texture organizer) and the sorter will rez 25 sculpts at once in a small designated grid. To search quickly through your sculpts, all you have to do is press an arrow button and all 25 sculpts will be changed. When you find the one you want, you have 2 choices. you click on it and the machine will rez the sculpt for you with you as creator if you put your own prim into the gadget. Or, you can have it deliver the sculpt map to you. This tool is simply AMAZING!!!! No more wasting time or purchasing the same sculpt repeatedly because you don’t have time to rez all your sculpts to see what they look like. This gadget does all of that for you! For builders, this is a must.

How much does it cost? IT’S ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!! Also, as far as I can tell, it’s low lag. I’ve had no problem with sim performance since I rezzed it weeks ago.

The creator, Zauber Paracelsus, also has other free tools for “sale” in his vendor that are simply amazing. By following this link, you can find the aformentioned tools for building and an AO for your avatar. Here’s a complete list of his free products:

-zTech Texture Sorter (sorts textures)

-Lite Rezzer (A scene rezzer that can be used in a holodeck or however you like)

-Easy Door system (scripts for making doors that work)

-Swift AO (Animation Override -Low lag and works with Zhao)

-and of course ZTech Scultpy Sorter

Builders, these tools are a must! Go get your gadgets today! You will be happy you did.

*I am in no way affiliated with zTech or Zauber Paracelsus. I simply love his products and want to make it easier for builders to access their sculpt maps, textures and such. I know how difficult and frustrating it can be to search for things when you’re in the middle of building. These are the tools that have helped me, and I want to share them with you.